The Roanoke Valley Horseman’s Association held its annual Community Horse Show on Aug. 2, 2025, and despite a few puddles, it was an absolutely lovely day at Green Hill Park Equestrian Center in Salem.
The weather was unseasonably, wonderfully cool for August — sitting comfortably in the 70s — which made for a refreshing change from the usual midsummer swelter. While light rain made a brief appearance, no one seemed to mind dodging a few raindrops in exchange for the mild temperatures.
This year’s show was bustling with activity, featuring a wide variety of classes across disciplines: Ranch, Pleasure, Hunter, Trail, Saddle Seat, Harness, Games, and more. With at least two arenas in use throughout the day, the show moved efficiently and wrapped up by 3 p.m. — a bonus for riders and horses alike.
Several classes boasted double-digit entries, showing strong support from the local equestrian community. First-place winners went home with special prizes, and division champions and reserves were recognized for their standout performances as well.
Congratulations to all the competitors, volunteers, and organizers who made the event such a success. Scroll through the photos below to catch a glimpse of the day’s highlights — muddy boots, smiling riders, and all.
The first weekend of April was an equestrian’s dream — great weather and plenty of events to get the season started.
The Roanoke Valley Pony Club Spring Frolic brought horses and riders to Green Hill Park Equestrian Center in Salem for dressage, jumping, and working equitation. Horse and rider combinations rode courses throughout the day, with the last rider hitting the final course at 3 p.m.
Tracey Smith-Oliver and Elizabeth Barker served as judges at the show, offering lots of priceless suggestions for ways riders could improve their performances as the season continues.
Roanoke Valley Pony Club is affiliated with United States Pony Clubs and serves the Roanoke and New River valleys. RVPC hosts two Fun Frolic Series: the Spring Frolic in April and Fall Frolic in September. All shows are held at Green Hill Park.
Working EquitationDressageWorking Equitation
Also happening around the region over the past weekend, as seen on social media:
The Coliseum was once again packed this year for the annual Great American Ranch and Trail Horse Sale, held April 3-5 at the Virginia Horse Center. The sale, which has been held each spring for decades, continues to draw a loyal following of both horse sellers and buyers, and this year was no exception.
But times do change, and this year saw the growing influence of internet marketing in the horse world. The top-sellers not only were nice horses with good pedigrees and a history of being safe, but they also had good marketing well before the sale. Around the arena, beautiful photo ads were posted of some of the sale horses. Others already had strong social media followings.
With the world grappling with higher prices from groceries to trucks to hay, I wondered as the auction began how those concerns would affect sale prices. There were still plenty of high prices. Pretty similar to the past few years, the high-seller brought $78,000. Joes Last Tiger, a 6-year-old black quarter horse gelding, also was reserve champion in the sale’s trail horse competition.
But there seemed to be more instances than in the past of “no sales.” Buyers willingness to spend did not always align with what buyers were hoping to get. The bidding often stopped well before the reserve. Conversely, however, there were many horses that sold well below their value.
Of course, the Great American Ranch and Trail Horse Sale includes a Ranch Horse Competition and a Trail Horse Competition as well where consigners can win some cash, a saddle, and bragging rights before the sale. The competition also gives buyers a chance to see the horses in action and under pressure.
The Ranch Horse Competition was won by Mr. Smart Sioux, a 10-year-old buckskin quarter horse consigned by Thornton Quarter Horses of Alabama. The Shining Spark grandson brought $24,000 during the auction. His consigner, however, was seeking at least $30,000.
Photo courtesy GARTHS
After a sale horse demonstration that included a running chainsaw earlier in the week, a Spotted Halflinger gelding, Tigers Sweet Gentry, took the trophy in the Trail Horse Competition and then sold for $19,000.
Top 10 High-Sellers
Hip #48 – $78,000 – Pleasant Valley Equine Hip #38 – $67,000 – Pleasant Valley Equine Hip #26 – $38,000 – Buckeye Acre Farm Hip #10 – $35,000 – For His Glory Farms Hip #21 – $33,000 – Buckeye Acre Farm Hip #19 – $30,000 – Pleasant Valley Equine Hip #34 – $30,000 – Kristin White Hip #18 – $25,000 – Country Hills Stable Hip #33 – $25,000 – Circle C Stables Hip #83 – $25,000 – Nicole Inglassia
Scholarship Opportunity! Interscholastic Equestrian Association youth riders who are also American Quarter Horse Youth Association members can now apply for the 𝗔𝗤𝗛𝗔-𝗜𝗘𝗔 𝗢𝘂𝘁𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽.
The scholarship recognizes riders who have shown outstanding leadership qualities and a committment to participation in one or both organizations. Applications are submitted via this Google Form. Apply today, applications are due 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹 𝟭!
IEA is a national organization dedicated to introducing and promoting equestrian athletics. Riders are not required to own their own horse or tack to participate, instead a draw-based team competition format provides greater affordability and access to the sport. There are nearly 15,000 members nationwide in three disciplines — Hunt Seat, Western, and Dressage.
Virginia is in Hunt Seat Zone 3, which will hold its finals March 14-16, 2025 at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington. The National Finals will be held this year April 24-27, 2025, in Missouri.
Each year, Virginia Tech’s 11 Agricultural Research and Extension Centers invite the public in for an in-depth look at the discoveries and practices propelling the future of agriculture, Virginia’s largest private industry.
An Equine Pasture Management Field Day will be held April 17 at the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center. This walking tour will showcase pasture management systems, including continuous stocking, rotational grazing, track system, and dry lot with composting set up. Educational stations will include soil pit, small pasture management equipment demonstrations, small scale sprayer calibration, and forage/weed identification. Contact Tait Golightly at tgolight@vt.edu for more information.
Also in Middleburg, a Hunt Country Stable Tour will be held May 24-25, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., when the public is invited to tour the Middleburg AREC and learn about its programs as part of a self-driven tour of horse farms and facilities in Upperville, Middleburg, and The Plains. Visit trinityupperville.org/hunt-country-stable-tour or contact Tait Golightly at tgolight@vt.edu for more information.
Spread throughout the commonwealth, the Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (AREC) bring the expertise of Virginia Tech College of Agriculture and Life Sciences researchers directly into the communities they serve. Researchers partner with farmers, government agencies, and industry leaders to tackle problems in the lab and on the field – and deliver research-based solutions through Virginia Cooperative Extension agents to help Virginia agriculture thrive.
Anyone is welcome to join AREC field days, open houses, and other events planned for 2025. Mark your calendars for the following dates and check the 2025 field days calendar for updates, locations, and registration details as they are added throughout the year.
With nearly 100 horses parading through the sales pen at the 2022 Great American Ranch & Trail Horse Sale, it would be hard to not find something you like. From 12-hand ponies to 17-hand Friesians, ranch-bred and trained quarter horses to loudly colored paints with impressive show records to draft crosses with miles of trails behind them, their resumes varied nearly as much as the medley of colors they came in.
And as much as we all know that color doesn’t make a good horse, we also know that buyers can’t resist a flashy horse. Make it a blue roan or a palomino and that’s the true icing on the cake.
For the past two years, the feathered feet of Gypsy Vanners stole the show. But this year, it was a palomino quarter horse named “Newt” that drew the highest bid. Heza Triple Peponita, a 2017 AQHA gelding consigned by Triple R Stables in Ohio, sold for $77,000. The winning bid came over the Internet, where the sale is live-streamed. Watch a video from the bidding.
Hip No. 50, Heza Triple Peponita, during the trail competition. He was the sale high-seller at $77,000.
The Great American Ranch & Trail Horse Sale is unique. It gives sellers a chance to show off their horses (or potentially broadcast any shortcomings in the horse’s training). Sale horses compete for cash and prizes. But potential buyers are winners, too, as they get the chance to watch the horses face unfamiliar obstacles in an unfamiliar, noisy environment.
At this year’s sale, many of the sale horses competed in either the trail horse competition, the ranch horse competition, or both — betting their horse’s training will shine through even in the difficult environment of an indoor coliseum.
Trail course obstacles include stepping over logs, crossing a bridge, weaving through tree branches, passing a campfire, ground tying while their rider disappears into an outhouse, and loading onto a trailer.
Ten finalists then return the next morning for a harder version of the course and perform a freestyle routine that shows off the horse’s unique abilities.
While the top-seller placed seventh, it was a North American Spotted Haflinger, Tigers Sweet Gentry, who quietly plodded through the course and with guns blazing in the finals came away with the championship. He later sold for $40,000. Reserve champion was Hip No. 25, TRS Loud Sensation, who sold for $25,000.
Tigers Sweet Gentry won the $2,000 Trail Horse Competition.
The ranch horse competition is held on Friday afternoon and includes completing a ranch horse pattern with stops, spins, and lead changes as well as boxing and penning a calf, before attempting to rope the calf.
This year, a flashy sorrel named Play Berry took home top honors. He later sold for $30,000.
Play Berry receives his prizes for the Ranch Horse competition win.
Trail Horse Top 5
Hip No. 76, Tigers Sweet Gentry, 2017 North American Spotted Haflinger, sold for $40,000
Hip No. 25, TRS Loud Sensation, 2010 APHA gelding, sold for $25,000
Hip No. 33, Southern Living, 2017 AQHA gelding, sold for $32,500
Hip No. 55, Ima Yella Skippa Kid, 2018 AQHA gelding, sold for $17,000
Hip No. 40, Wranglin in Rio, 2016 AQHA gelding, (no sale)
The Virginia Horse Council will hold its annual educational seminar and meeting at 9 a.m. on March 12 at the Virginia Horse Center.
The seminar will include two sessions. The morning session will feature Dr. Allison Faber Marshall of Full Circle Veterinary Care, who will discuss the benefits of Chiropractic Work and Acupuncture. The afternoon session will feature Chris Wiley of CW Wiley Custom Saddles. He will talk on Western saddle fit.
The cost is $30 for members and $40 for non-members, includes lunch and an individual one-year membership. Tickets can be purchased in person at the event.
Tequila, a Gypsy Vanner-cross mare, was the high-seller and reserve champion of the trail horse competition. Photo by Rose Stinson Photography.
If you’ve ever wondered if getting training for your horse is worth it, spending the day at The Great American Ranch and Trail Horse Sale at the Virginia Horse Center in Lexington is a showcase of just how much “broke” is worth in the market today. A well-trained, useful horse will always be wanted.
The sale, in its 20th year, prides itself in offering well-broke horses. There were about 80 horses and ponies of all breeds to choose from at this year’s sale, which took place April 8-10, 2021. More than a few horses saw prices well over $20,000, but it was a tobiano Gypsy Vanner-cross mare named Tequila and consigned by Buckeye Farms who inspired the highest bids. After plenty of back and forth between a couple of bidders participating by phone, she was sold for $72,000 to Alicia Stearman of California.
Stearman said in a Facebook post that she plans to use Tequila for “vaulting and circus camps for kids, Roman riding with another Buckeye Gypsy I bought back in December. We will be performing with kids with her.”
The second-highest seller of the sale was also a Gypsy Vanner. RGR Shameless Adonis, consigned by Triple R Stables, brought $52,000 when the bidding was done on the stout 6-year-old black gelding.
RGR Shameless Adonis. Photo by Rose Stinson Photography
For the past couple years, Gypsy Vanners have been popular at the sale. The 2019 top-seller was a Gypsy Vanner named Congress Hill Moves Like Jagger. He sold for $45,000 that year. In 2018, the black Gypsy Vanner gelding GG Jonah was the top-seller at $40,000.
In 2020, the annual sale was canceled due to the pandemic. This year they returned with the traditional bidding by those in attendance, and by phone and added the ability to bid online as well where a live stream of the sale was available. Several horses were purchased through that online option.
While getting a chance to buy a great trail horse is at the center of the weekend, there’s more to the Great American Ranch and Trail Horse Sale then just an auction. Before the bidding ever begins, many of the horses take part in competitions reserved only for sale horses. The ranch horse competition involves performing a ranch horse pattern and cow work. This year’s winner, who took home a trophy saddle, buckle, and a $1,000 check, was Magnum Affair, a 6-year-old AQHA sorrel gelding. He later sold for $32,000.
The ranch reserve horse was RR Instant Feona. The 2015 quarter horse mare would sell for $17,000.
The trail horse competition begins Friday night before the sale with a preliminary run and is followed by a 10-horse finals on Saturday morning before the sale. It offers a unique opportunity to see the sale horses perform over unfamiliar obstacles that include large and small logs, a bridge, ground-tying while the rider uses an outhouse, a campsite complete with campfire, and loading into a horse trailer. This year the $1,000 win went to KM Best One Zippen, ridden by John Roberts. The 2014 sorrel quarter horse gelding would later sell for $27,000.
The trail horse reserve winner was the eventual high-seller, Tequila.
A special session for ponies started the sale, bringing from about $3,000 to up to $7,000. The first pony to ever qualify for the trail horse competition finals, a black and white leopard Appaloosa pony named Pongo, sold for $6,200.
While many of the horses in the first half of the sale were sold for $20,000 and up, don’t allow that to scare you off. There were plenty of horses, especially toward the last third of the sale, that tended to stay in the five figures.
Top sellers
$72,000 Lot No. 39: Tequila, 2016 Gypsy-cross mare
Shadow Ridge Stables in Wirtz is now under new management.
Huxley Greer of New Life Equestrian Center at Shadow Ridge Stables says a lot of work has been done to ensuring the facility is ready to provide top quality boarding, training, lesson, clinics, shows, and more! Visitors are invited to check the facility out at an open house on Dec. 22nd from 1-3 p.m.
An overview of amenities include:
Laundry services for boarders
Outdoor arena with excellent footing, lights, and sound system
12×12 stalls with rubber mats and fans
Miles of amazing trails
Hot and cold wash stalls with fans and heat lamps
Heated tack room with individualized lockers
Variety of turnout options
Pasture board that offers comfy sheds with fans
Staff that lives on-site
All disciplines and levels of riders are welcome.
For those interested, an FEI event and dressage trainer is available on site for lessons, but boarders are also welcome to bring in outside trainers.
The Virginia Horse Council will hold its annual meeting and seminar on March 30 at the Virginia Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Educational sessions will take place throughout the day, beginning at 9 a.m. Cost to attend is $20 for council members and $25 for non-members. Lunch is included.
Sue Fanelli, chairman of the Virginia Horse Council board, will talk about the council’s Cruelty and Abuse Project at 9 a.m. Other topics throughout the day include Equine Cushings Disease, law requirements for horse owners, mud management, veterinarians expectations for standard of care, and a Make a Horseshoe lab. Speakers include Jill Deegan, Dr. Scott Pleasant, Carrie Swanson, and Paul Papadatos.
The day will also include vendors, a silent auction and networking opportunities. For more information, contact info@virginiahorsecouncil.org.
The 
Roanoke Equestrian 